CE-CERT Champions

CE-CERT Champions
Thank You for Powering a Sustainable Future

Endowed Chairs

Ford Motor Company Chair in Environmental Engineering

History and Purpose: Ford Motor Company is a multinational corporation headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan. It is the world's second-largest manufacturer of automobiles and trucks, with earnings in 1993 of $101.3 billion. The automobile industry is highly regulated in California, which represents approximately 11% of the total U.S. market share for automobiles. In response to Federal and State regulations on vehicle emissions, Ford Motor Company, along with other automobile manufacturers, is developing alternative-fueled vehicles for the California market to help reduce the air pollution associated with motor vehicles. With this challenge gift, Ford wishes to demonstrate its support for CE-CERT's research and technology program aimed at reducing air pollution and to encourage other corporate donors to join in partnership with CE-CERT to help solve air pollution problems. Ford Motor Company created this endowment fund for research programs, laboratories, student and faculty support, and the basic operating budget of CE-CERT.

Chair Holder: David Cocker, Ph.D.

David Cocker is a Professor and the Ford Chair at UC Riverside, specializing in air quality and atmospheric sciences. His research interests focus on secondary organic aerosol formation, emission characterization, and air quality systems engineering. David's work aims to understand the complex chemical processes that lead to the formation of secondary organic aerosols and their impact on the environment and human health.

He has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the NSF CAREER Award in 2005 and the Bourns College of Engineering Excellence in Teaching Award for 2004-2005. David holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), obtained in 2001. He is the Chair of the Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at UC Riverside, where he continues to contribute to the advancement of air quality research and education.

Esther and Daniel Hays Endowed Chair

History and Purpose: Esther F. Hays, M.D., was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and raised in Ithaca, where she graduated from Ithaca High School and attended Cornell University. After receiving the Connie M. Guion Scholarship, she entered Cornell Medical School and completed her medical degree in 1951. She interned and completed her residency at New York Hospital, where she met and married Dr. Daniel M. Hays. In 1955, Esther joined the UCLA Medical School faculty, where she served for 38 years. Her research primarily focused on leukemia and later HIV/AIDS, contributing significantly to the establishment of the UCLA AIDS Institute in 1992. Upon her retirement in 1993, a fellowship was named in her honor to support HIV/AIDS research. Esther was also actively involved in community activities in Riverside, California, particularly concerned with air pollution, and established the Esther F. Hays Graduate Fellowship Scholarship at UC Riverside CE-CERT.

Daniel M. Hays, M.D., born in Reading, Pennsylvania, moved to Riverside during his childhood. He graduated from Riverside Polytechnic High School and received a degree in biology from Stanford University before attending Cornell University Medical College. After serving in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and attending the Nuremberg trials, he moved to Los Angeles with his wife Esther, joining Good Samaritan Hospital and Children's Hospital Los Angeles. Renowned for his contributions to pediatric cancer surgery, Daniel received the William E. Ladd Medal in 2004. Upon retiring in 1993, he returned to Riverside and founded Victoria Avenue Without Wires, successfully leading efforts to move utility lines underground along Victoria Avenue. His dedication to the project left a lasting impact on the community, remembered fondly by those who worked with him.

The Esther and Daniel Hays Endowed Chair in Environmental Research shall be used to recruit or retain preeminent scholars to conduct leading-edge research at the UCR Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering, Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) and profoundly enrich the educational experience of Bourns College of Engineering undergraduate and graduate students. Income from the endowed chair will be available to support both research and teaching expenses including, but not limited to equipment, supplies, summer salary, student stipends, and conference travel.

Chair Holder: Matt Barth, Ph.D.

Professor Matthew Barth received his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering/Computer Science from the University of Colorado in 1984, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1986 and 1990, respectively. Dr. Barth was also a member of the technical staff in the Advanced Technologies Division of General Research Corporation, Santa Barbara from 1985 to 1986. From 1986 to 1987 he conducted research at the University of Tokyo as a visiting research student. Upon completion of his Ph.D., Dr. Barth was a visiting researcher at Osaka University, Japan, conducting research in systems engineering from 1989 to 1991. Dr. Barth joined the College of Engineering in 1991, conducting research in Electrical Engineering and at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT). Dr. Barth is director of CE-CERT's Transportation Systems Research Laboratory, consisting of several full-time staff members as well as undergraduate and graduate students. Dr. Barth is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA), the Transportation Research Board's Transportation and Air Quality Committee, and New Technology Committee, and ITS America's Energy and Environment Committee. He has also served on several National Research Council (NRC) committees.

Jacques and Eugene Yeager Families Endowed Chair

History and Purpose: The Yeager brothers, Jacques and Eugene, have a long-standing relationship with the University of California. Jacques Yeager recently completed his term as a Regent of the University. He is currently Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the UC Riverside Foundation, where he has served for 15 years. Eugene Yeager has been a partner with his brother in managing the E.L. Yeager Construction Company. Both brothers are civil engineering graduates of the Berkeley campus. Together, the Yeagers have supported numerous fundraising activities for the Riverside campus. Their pledge to establish the Yeager Families Endowed Chair includes a commitment of $100,000 to the A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Management's campaign for $8,500,000, which is chaired by Jacques Yeager.

Jacques Yeager and his late wife Helen Hays Yeager, and Eugene and Billie Yeager, generously established the Jacques and Eugene Yeager Families Endowed Chair in Environmental Engineering in 1994. This Endowment provides support to the director of the Bourns College of Engineering - Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT). Their philanthropy toward UCR continues to be broad and deep. In 2000, in recognition of each family's cumulative giving to UCR of $1,000,000 or more, Jacques Yeager and his late wife, Helen Hays Yeager, and Eugene and Billie Yeager were named inaugural Laureates of UCR.

Chair Holder: Don Collins, P.h.D

Don Collins serves as the Director of the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) at the University of California, Riverside. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech in 1994 and his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology in 2000. Before his current role, Don was the Director of the Center for Atmospheric Chemistry and the Environment at Texas A&M University.

With a research career dedicated to understanding the properties and effects of atmospheric aerosols, Don's work spans both regional and global scales. His expertise lies in investigating how these particles impact air quality, climate, and public health. Don’s contributions to atmospheric science have positioned him as a leading figure in the field, driving innovative research initiatives and fostering collaborative efforts to address pressing environmental challenges. Under his leadership, CE-CERT continues to advance its mission of developing sustainable solutions for improving air quality and mitigating environmental impacts.

W. Ruel Johnson Chair in Environmental Engineering

History and Purpose: Mr. Johnson is a graduate of the University of Hawaii. S. Sue Johnson, wife of William R. Johnson, Jr. and Vice President of Johnson Machinery, comes from a family dedicated to higher education. She is an alumna of UCR, a member of the UC Riverside Foundation Board of Trustees, and a former chair of the Board of Regents of the University of California. She has received the Alumni Service Award from the UCR Alumni Association, and in 2000 received the Chancellor’s Medal, the highest honor the University can bestow upon an individual.

The Johnsons have been active and exceptionally generous supporters and donors to the University of California, Riverside campus. In October 2000, they were named inaugural UCR Laureates (donors whose cumulative gifts to UCR are $1 million or more). Their support of the campus is extensive. Their generosity has created endowments that funded the William R. Johnson, Jr. Family Chair in the Bourns College of Engineering, the Jane Johnson Chair in Molecular Plant Pathology in the College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences, The Mrs. W. Ruel Johnson Endowed Scholarship, the S. Sue Johnson Endowed Scholarship, and most recently, the S. Sue Johnson Graduate Award. Additional support has gone to the Botanic Gardens, Athletics, UCR/California Museum of Photography, Sweeney Art Gallery, College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology, and the S. Sue Johnson Board Room in the future Alumni and Visitors Center.

The gift was given by the Johnson Machinery Co., a California corporation and one of the largest suppliers of industrial equipment in Southern California. William R. Johnson, Jr., President of the company and native of Riverside, wished to create the Chair Endowment to honor the name of his father from whom he inherited his high regard for and profound commitment to education.

Chair Holder: Ashok Mulchandani, P.h.D

Dr. Ashok Mulchandani obtained his B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering from Laxminarayan Institute of Technology in 1976 and his M.Tech. from the Indian Institute of Technology in 1978. He completed his Ph.D. at McGill University in 1985, followed by postdoctoral work at Laval University and the Biotechnology Research Institute in Montreal. He joined the University of California, Riverside in 1991 as a founding faculty member of the Department of Chemical Engineering and later chaired the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Mulchandani's research focuses on developing innovative technologies to improve human health and quality of life, particularly through biotechnology and nanotechnology. He is recognized internationally for his work in biosensors, environmental biotechnology, and green engineering techniques. He has received numerous awards, published extensively, and mentored many students and researchers in his field.

Scholarships and Awards

Atmospheric Processes Laboratory (APL) Award

History and Purpose: The CE-CERT Atmospheric Processes Research Group advances understanding of the chemical pathways leading to secondary organic aerosol formation in the atmosphere. Researchers employ the large atmospheric chamber and the smaller mobile chamber to study the impacts of emissions from diverse sources such as vehicles, wildfires, agricultural operations, and consumer products with the goal of developing new air quality models and improving the accuracy of existing ones.

Research in atmospheric processes goes beyond electric versus fossil fuels. The leading chemicals responsible for ozone and particulate matter in our air are consumer products. Atmospheric processes research also includes cloud processes and global climate change, which is part of one of the greatest challenges to our future.

Through this award, the Atmospheric Processes Research Group’s faculty and alumni recognize and celebrate the mentorship, dedication, and hard work that helped to launch many successful careers for Bourns College of Engineering alumni in the engineering field. The goal of this award is to provide inspiration and an example of perseverance to graduate students, along with showing commitment to their future success.

This Fund shall be used by the Director of CE-CERT to support graduate student research, whether for conferences, equipment, supplies, transportation, or other research related needs.

Selection and Guidelines: Students in a graduate degree program at the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering must meet eligibility requirements established by CECERT, including:

1. Employed by or working on a research project at CE-CERT with preference given to students associated with the Atmospheric Processes Research Group;

2. Be a full-time student at the University of California, Riverside; and

3. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

CE-CERT Ford- Engineering (Undergraduate Scholarship)

History and Purpose: In 1994, Ford Motor Company pledged $10 million to the University of California, Riverside, creating an endowment for the benefit of the Bourns College of Engineering - Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT). It was the largest gift UCR had received. Part of the gift-established endowments that will award in perpetuity the Ford Motor Company Scholarship, Ford Motor Company Fellowship, and Ford Motor Company Postdoctoral Fellowship. These awards are given to undergraduates, graduate students, and recent Ph.D.s studying environmental engineering.

Undergraduate Scholarship: Part of the gift of the this endowment is used to fund undergraduate students for the Ford Motor Company Undergraduate Scholarship. The Ford Motor Company Undergraduate Scholarship was established by an endowment to the Bourns College of Engineering from Ford Motor Company to encourage and aid undergraduate students in pursuit of careers in engineering. The award is given annually in the amount of $5,000 to offset University of California, Riverside academic expenses.

Selection and Guidelines: To qualify for consideration of this scholarship, you must be a full-time undergraduate student at the University of California, Riverside, currently pursuing a B.S. degree, and have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average. Candidates should have, or plan to have, a working relationship with CE-CERT. Judgment criteria include the applicant's academic record, recommendations from faculty, promise to develop a successful career in a field of engineering, and financial need.

Colin E. Hackett Graduate Award

History and Purpose: Colin E. Hackett Endowed Engineering Research Award was established by an endowment to the University of California, Riverside, from the Hackett Family to encourage and aid graduate students in pursuit of careers in engineering and doing research at CE-CERT. Dr. Colin Hackett was the manager of UC, Riverside Alternative Fuels and Renewable Energy Research Program. He was an amazing researcher and key in the waste-to-energy demonstration project at CE-CERT. Dr. Hackett was co-inventor of the "Diesel Fuel Synthesis from Carbonaceous Feed Stocks using Self-Sustained Hydro-gasification" process. Dr. Hackett joined CE-CERT in December 2000. Previously, he was a member of the technical staff in Engineering Sciences Research and Development at Sandia National Laboratories for nearly three decades. He received bachelor's (Honors) and master's degrees from Cambridge University, England and a Ph.D. from Brown University. He passed away on July 12, 2005. Friends and family of Dr. Hackett created the Colin Hackett Graduate Fellowship in Engineering as a tribute to his many accomplishments.
This Fund shall be used to provide research support to full-time graduate students in mechanical and/or chemical sciences who arc engaged in experimental engineering research, to develop their laboratory skills.

Selection and Guidelines: The award will be given to full-time graduate students who have demonstrated superior academic skills, at the direction of the Director of CE-CERT. It is the Donor's preference that the award be given to students who are women and/or under-represented minorities. If no student meets the criteria, the annual distribution will be added to the corpus, or applied to the next year's award.

Esther F. Hays Graduate Fellowship

History and Purpose: Esther Hays, M.D., Professor and Dean Emerita of UCLA's School of Medicine, has an enduring concern about the environment. In 1999, to assure financial assistance to UCR students pursuing advanced degrees in Environmental Engineering, she established the Esther F. Hays Graduate Fellowship in the College of Engineering-Center for Environmental Research and Technology. Her concern for the health is not only for Southern California residents, but all people in this country and CE-CERT's emphasis on training future engineers to solve environmental problems inspired her gift. "It seems to me we must do something to improve air quality. If engine technologies can be changed and alternative fuels developed the benefits to air quality will follow." She hopes that Hays Fellows will, in their careers, add solutions to these and other problems.

Selection and Guidelines: Candidates must:
- be full-time graduate students at UCR
- be currently pursuing, or planning to pursue a graduate degree in Engineering at Bourns College of Engineering
- have a minimum GPA of 3.0
- donor preference that fellowship given to a U.S. citizen

G. Neal Richter Student Support Fund in Energy Innovation

History and Purpose: Life-long energy innovation leader Neal Richter’s legacy will live on through the G. Neal Richter Energy Innovation Scholarship. The scholarship established at the College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) at UC Riverside will provide financial assistance to undergraduate or graduate students studying alternative energies at CE-CERT. Dr. Richter spent his life dedicated to environmental work. Throughout his career, Dr. Richter engaged in all aspects of the facility’s work– improvements at the pilot plant stage, expanding feedstocks used from natural gas and oil to coal, biomass, used tires, and the operation of those plants and support of the licensing in the process. Dr. Richter was most concerned with environmental impact. In retirement, he continued to have an impact on the energy industry, both as a Chevron Fellow Emeritus and in the research program of the late Joe Norbeck, founding director of CE-CERT, and former director of the UCR Environmental Research Institute. His dedication to his work went beyond the research. He strongly believed in providing a philanthropic base to support students who wanted to make a difference. Before his passing in 2016, Dr. Richter initiated an endowed scholarship to support students studying energy innovation.

The fund was a reflection of his values and was established to further advance the academic quality, excellence, and benefits of energy research. With the generous support of Neal’s family and members of the college community, the initiative that Dr. Richter began has reached its goal of becoming a full endowment. Dr. Richter dedicated nearly 50 years of his life to energy innovation and traveled the world as an expert in the field. Through this scholarship, the work that Dr. Richter started will continue to grow.

J. Wayne Miller and Thomas Durbin Graduate Research Award

History and Purpose: The J. Wayne Miller and Thomas D. Durbin Graduate Research Award is dedicated to the UCR CE-CERT Emissions and Fuels Research (EFR) team faculty advisors: J. Wayne Miller, Thomas D. Durbin, David R. Cocker, Kent C. Johnson, Heejung Jung, Georgios Karavalakis, and Joseph Norbeck who have each mentored many chemical and environmental engineers over the years. This award is named after the current two most senior advisors from the EFR group. It is given annually to deserving graduate students at CE-CERT to help cover costs associated with attending conferences and/or research and equipment expenses.

Through this award, the EFR alumni recognize and celebrate the faculty mentorship, dedication, and hard work that helped to launch many successful careers for Bourns College of Engineering alumni in the engineering field. The goal of this scholarship is to provide inspiration and an example of perseverance, hard work, and commitment to future graduate students, just as our advisors did for the founding donors during their university research experiences.

Packard Foundation Fellowship in Environmental Engineering

History and Purpose: David and Lucile Packard, of the Hewlett-Packard Company, created their foundation in 1964 because they believed that private organizations had to take a financial interest and a leadership role in the development of organizations to meet society's needs. The foundation has given generously to universities, national and local institutions, as well as community and youth groups. "The David and Lucile Packard Foundation will continue to support these organizations with the hope and expectation that we can strengthen them and, thereby, conserve and enhance resources and improve the quality of life in our community, the nation, and the world."

In April 1995, the Foundation funded an endowed post-doctoral fellowship: the David and Lucile Packard Foundation Fellowship in Environmental Engineering. It is used by the Bourns College of Engineering Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT) for research leading to a better understanding of air pollution issues.

Transportation Systems Research (TSR) Graduate Student Award

History and Purpose: The CE-CERT Transportation Systems Research Group applies the latest advances in the field of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to the mitigation of the environmental and energy issues associated with the movement of goods and people. The group focuses on the development and implementation of advanced vehicle computing, control, communication, and sensing technologies that will transform today’s vehicles and transportation systems to improve their safety, efficiency, and economics while reducing their environmental impact.

Through this award, the Transportations Systems Research Group’s faculty and alumni recognize and celebrate the mentorship, dedication, and hard work that helped to launch many successful careers for Bourns College of Engineering alumni in the engineering field. The goal of this award is to provide inspiration and an example of perseverance and commitment to the success of future graduate students.

Special Thanks to our Founding Donors for their philanthropic leadership and generosity: Ziran Wang & Ziwei Zhang; Chao Wang & Bo Zhi; Meng Cao & Lei Xiong; Weihua Zhu

Jim Guthrie Research Award

History and Purpose: In December 1995, Debbi Huffman Guthrie established the Jim Guthrie Research Award Endowment to honor her husband, Jim. Both Mr. and Mrs. Guthrie are prominent business leaders in the Riverside community. Mrs. Guthrie was the third generation in her family's roofing company. Mr. Guthrie builds homes. The endowment funds one or more Guthrie Awards annually to students involved in research at the Bourns College of Engineering - Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT).

The purpose of the Guthrie Research Award Endowment is to encourage academic excellence and critical thinking in an area that is important to Jim and Debbi Guthrie, in December 1995 they created the Jim Guthrie Research Awards. Given annually, students are selected based upon review of written research papers on projects conducted at the College of Engineering - Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT).

Selection and Guidelines: One or more awards annually to students chosen by a committee designated by the Director of the College of Engineering - Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT).Selection of award recipients will be determined by a review of written research papers by UCR students on projects conducted at CE-CERT. Other considerations are at the discretion of the selection committee. Preference is given to Environmental Engineering students or those in a related discipline. Application made through CE-CERT department representative.

William R. Pierson / Ford Graduate Award

History and Purpose: In 1994, Ford Motor Company pledged $10 million to the University of California, Riverside, creating an endowment for the benefit of the Bourns College of Engineering - Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT). It was the largest gift UCR had received. Part of the gift established endowments that will award in perpetuity the Ford Motor Company Scholarship, Ford Motor Company Fellowship, and Ford Motor Company Postdoctoral Fellowship. These awards are given to undergraduates, graduate students, and recent Ph.D.s studying environmental engineering.

Part of the gift of this endowment is used to fund undergraduate students for the Ford Motor Company Undergraduate Scholarship. The Ford Motor Company Undergraduate Scholarship was established by an endowment to the Bourns College of Engineering from Ford Motor Company to encourage and aid undergraduate students in pursuit of careers in engineering. The award is given annually in the amount of $5,000 to offset University of California, Riverside academic expenses.

Part of the gift of this endowment will used to award graduate students the William R. Pierson/Ford Graduate Fellowship. The William R. Pierson/Ford Graduate Fellowship was established by an endowment to the University of California, Riverside, from Ford Motor Company to encourage and aid graduate students in pursuit of careers in engineering and doing research at CE-CERT. The fellowship is given annually to a full-time graduate student in the amount of $5,000 to offset University of California, Riverside, academic and/or research expenses.

Selection and Guidelines: Scholarships will be awarded by CE-CERT.

Ford Motor Company Undergraduate Scholarship - To qualify for consideration of this scholarship, you must be a full-time undergraduate student at the University of California, Riverside, currently pursuing a B.S. degree, and have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average. Candidates should have, or plan to have, a working relationship with CE-CERT. Judgment criteria include the applicant's academic record, recommendations from faculty, promise to develop a successful career in a field of engineering, and financial need.

The William R. Pierson/Ford Graduate Fellowship- To qualify for consideration of this graduate fellowship, you must:

1. Have, or plan to have, a working relationship with CE-CERT;
2. Be a full-time graduate student at the University of California, Riverside;
3. Be currently pursuing, or planning to pursue, a graduate degree in engineering at the Bourns College of Engineering; and
4. Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Salim Khan Award

History and Purpose: This award is dedicated to Salim Khan, the father of former CE-CERT student Mohammad Yusuf Khan (Ph.D., June 2013), in honor of his commitment to the education of his children and to the service of his community. Mr. Khan was the embodiment of the values of perseverance and hard work, facing several health and financial challenges in his determination to help others.

Selection and Guidelines: This fellowship is intended to offset University of California, Riverside, academic and/or research expenses in the following academic year for students with an academic standing of 3.0 GPA or higher.

Foundations & Endowments

Ford Motor Company Endowment

Undergraduate Scholarship: Part of the gift of this endowment is used to fund undergraduate students for the Ford Motor Company Undergraduate Scholarship. The Ford Motor Company Undergraduate Scholarship was established by an endowment to the Bourns College of Engineering from Ford Motor Company to encourage and aid undergraduate students in pursuit of careers in engineering. The award is given annually in the amount of $5,000 to offset University of California, Riverside academic expenses.

Graduate Fellowship: Part of the gift of this endowment will used to award graduate students the William R. Pierson/Ford Graduate Fellowship. The William R. Pierson/Ford Graduate Fellowship was established by an endowment to the University of California, Riverside, from Ford Motor Company to encourage and aid graduate students in pursuit of careers in engineering and doing research at CE-CERT. The fellowship is given annually to a full-time graduate student in the amount of $5,000 to offset University of California, Riverside, academic and/or research expenses.

Les Richter Fund in Bourns College of Engineering CE-CERT

History and Purpose: The Les Richter Fund commemorates the remarkable life and achievements of Leslie, a distinguished individual whose legacy spans sports, military service, and academia. Born on October 6, 1930, in Fresno, California, Leslie's journey was marked by extraordinary accomplishments. As an esteemed L.A. Ram Linebacker from 1954 to 1963, he showcased exceptional athleticism and dedication on the field. Transitioning seamlessly into a career in motorsports, Leslie served as a NASCAR Executive, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. His commitment to service extended beyond sports, as Leslie honorably served in the Army, attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. His academic prowess was equally impressive, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Berkeley from 1948 to 1952, where he distinguished himself as the Valedictorian of the Class of 1952.

This fund shall provide support for the Bourns College of Engineering CE-CERT at the direction of the Chair.

Air Quality & Climate Research Training Program (ACT) from SCAQMD

History and Purpose: Covering a vast area encompassing Orange County and portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, South Coast AQMD plays a pivotal role in regulating air quality for over 16.8 million residents. Over the years, South Coast AQMD has tirelessly worked to improve air quality, aligning with national and state standards to protect public health and the environment. As a longstanding partner, South Coast AQMD has significantly supported the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT), fostering collaborative efforts in research and technology development. Through initiatives like the ACT endowment, this partnership continues to drive innovation, benefiting the community through technology advancements, policy implementations, and workforce development programs.

South Coast Air Quality Management District created this endowment to support faculty and research focused on engineering solutions to air quality, transportation, and energy issues. The ACT Program offers professional development courses designed to prepare engineers, scientists, technicians, and managers to address air quality and climate change challenges. Covering topics such as emissions, air quality impacts on health, sustainable mobility, and clean air policies, these courses provide participants with up-to-date knowledge and skills to promote sustainable living practices.

Advanced Engine Technology (AET) Endowment

History and Purpose: Advanced Engine Technologies, Inc. (AET) is a Colorado-based company with headquarters in Albuquerque, NM, and Australia. Established to commercialize the groundbreaking OX2 engine, AET aims to revolutionize internal combustion engine design, marking the first significant innovation in over a century. In late 2003, AET created the Advanced Engine Technologies, Inc. Endowment for CE-CERT. This endowment supports collaborative research on advanced engine technologies.

Selection and Guidelines: AET's substantial gift to the UCR Foundation aimed to establish an endowment providing financial support to CE-CERT for collaborative research. The endowment's purpose is to advance engine technologies for future applications, aligning with AET's mission. Additionally, AET intends for the endowment to help match the Ford Motor Company's Challenge Grant and encourage other private funding sources to support CE-CERT.

Electric Vehicle Competition Fund

History and Purpose: The EcoCAR EV Challenge emerged from the EcoCAR competition series, which began in 2008 through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors. Originally focused on redesigning conventional vehicles for improved environmental performance, the competition evolved to embrace advancements in electric and hybrid vehicle technology. Transitioning into the EcoCAR Mobility Challenge in 2017, the competition expanded its scope to include autonomous and connected mobility solutions. Throughout its history, the EcoCAR EV Challenge has provided invaluable experiential learning opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and government agencies.

The fund will provide financial support for the participation of both graduate and undergraduate students; purchasing components for the vehicle including tools, equipment, and parts to build an EV test vehicle; and travel and other expenses directly related to electric vehicle competitions.

CE-CERT Regional Properties, Inc. Endowment

History and Purpose: CE-CERT, founded at the University of California, Riverside, is a leading center for environmental research and technology development. Since its inception, CE-CERT has focused on addressing environmental challenges through innovative research initiatives. Over the years, CE-CERT has been instrumental in advancing environmental policy and technology in areas such as air quality management, alternative fuels, renewable energy, and sustainable transportation. To support the next generation of environmental leaders, CE-CERT established the Regional Properties Endowment. This endowment provides funding for student projects, undergraduate scholarships, and graduate fellowships in environmental engineering, empowering students to make meaningful contributions to environmental sustainability. Through its commitment to research excellence and education, CE-CERT continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of environmental science and technology.

CE-CERT Regional Properties Endowment is to support, at the discretion of its director, CE-CERT student projects, undergraduate scholarships, or graduate fellowships in environmental engineering.

Center for Environmental Research & Technology